8 Great Linux Routers, from SOHO to Enterprise

A Feast of Linux-Based Routers

May 3, 2010

By
Eric Geier

The Linux and the open source community doesn't just create great desktop and
server solutions. They also create worthy router solutions, many which are open,
free, and/or Linux-based. You'll find firmware replacements for open Wi-Fi
routers that you flash or upload to the router. Additionally, there are
Linux-based distributions that install onto generic Intel/AMD PCs or run as
LiveCDs. Plus there are options for embedded systems, servers, and appliances.

Here we're going to take a look at the most popular open source or
Linux-based router projects. Now let's get started!

DD-WRT

DD-WRT is arguable the most popular, feature-rich, and well-maintained open
source firmware replacement for wireless routers, embedded systems, and PCs.
Its Linux software runs on compatible open routers and systems. The first
versions of DD-WRT were actually based on the Alchemy firmware from Sveasoft,
which we'll discuss later. The founder and main developer of DD-WRT is Sebastian
Gottschall (BrainSlayer).

DD-WRT provides all the usual features of wireless routers. It also features
the typical features found in firmware replacements. Like other comparable
firmware replacements, DD-WRT can operate like a normal wireless router or can
be put into three different modes: Client, Bridge, and Repeater. Additionally,
it supports VLANs and virtual SSIDs. It also features QoS, hotspot functions, a
VPN client and server, and much more. DD-WRT also has additional features not
found in other firmwares, like support for PCs.

RouterOS

Though the code is not open and it is more of a commercial offering,
RouterOS from MikroTik is
Linux-based. It installs onto and turns regular PCs into a enterprise-level
router. It gives you all the necessary features, including routing, firewall,
bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN
server, and more.

You can download and use
all the features for free, for the first 24 hours. After the free trial you can
use limited features or
purchase a license
starting at $45.

Untangle

Untangle can help protect, control, and
monitor the online activities of small businesses, schools, and homes. It can be
installed and run on a dedicated PC or ran inside Windows. Its core features
are open source and licensed under the GNU Public License v2 (GPLv2).

Though it can optionally replace the router of a network, it concentrates
more on managing the Internet experience rather than provide network
functionality like most of the other projects we're discussing. Whether in
router or standalone mode, it provides network-wide protection from a single
centralized location--you don't have to
install firewalls and anti-virus software on each computer, for example.

For more details and help on setting up Untangle, you can refer to a
previous
tutorial of mine on this site.

ZeroShell

ZeroShell can provide the main LAN services
for small-to-medium-sized networks, similar to RouterOS. It's offered on a Linux
LiveCD, so it doesn't have to be installed. It just needs a small drive to save
the configuration.

ZeroShell can perform as a router, firewall, RADIUS server, wireless access
point, VPN, and more. It includes QoS, hotspot, and Internet load-balancing and
fail-over features. It also supports VLAN tagging, multiple SSIDs, and Windows
Active Directory.